13 Professional Athletes Who Took a Shot at Acting

Dominating the field or court is one thing, but winning over movie and TV audiences is a whole different challenge. Over the years, plenty of professional athletes have traded jerseys for scripts, proving their charisma can extend far beyond the world of sports. Here are 13 professional athletes who stepped into the spotlight and gave Hollywood a shot.

Rick Fox

After winning NBA glory with the Lakers, Rick Fox pivoted seamlessly into acting. His NBA career spanned from 1991 to 2004, earning All-Rookie honors with the Boston Celtics in 1991–92 before winning three NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, per basketball-reference. As for his acting career, Fox has 83 credits to his name and is most known for his roles in Oz, Dope, and He Got Game, according to IMDb.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson, known as “The Rock,” went from a WWE superstar to global box office king. Since his time as a professional wrestler, he has become most known for his roles in The Scorpion King, Black Adam, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, according to IMDb.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Before his film career, Arnold Schwarzenegger became the youngest-ever Mr. Universe titleholder at just 20 years old, according to the California Museum. He started acting in 1970, won a Golden Globe in 1976, and had his true breakout role in the 1984 film The Terminator, per the outlet.

Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch‘s “Beast Mode” energy made him a football legend, and that vigor now powers his acting career. He played in the NFL for 12 seasons, with the highlight being the 2013 season, where he helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII, as reported by Sportskeeda. A small role in the 2012 film Matt’s Chance marked the start of Lynch’s acting career, which has since grown to 25 credits, according to IMDb.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal, an unstoppable NBA force, is beloved for his humor and charisma both on air and in movies. Shaq is one of the best to ever play in the NBA, winning four championships, being named an all-star 15 times, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame after his 19-season career, per basketball-reference. As an actor, he is most known for his roles in Steel and Kazaam, according to IMDb.

Terry Crews

Terry Crews brought NFL-level power to a new game: Hollywood comedy. From sitcoms to action flicks and his energetic hosting, he’s become a household favorite. Before acting, Crews bounced between several NFL rosters, including the Rams and Chargers, from 1991 to 1995, as reported by NBC Insider. He then pivoted to film, breaking through on the big screen with 2000’s The 6th Day, according to Biography.com.

LeBron James

Basketball Icon LeBron James parlayed his superstar status into major movie moments. James first showed off his natural comedic timing with his cameo in the 2015 film Trainwreck, per Sports Illustrated. His major movie debut was as the lead in the 2021 movie Space Jam: A New Legacy, according to IMDb.

Jason Statham

Jason Statham‘s athletic roots in diving and martial arts gave him all the tools for big-screen adventure. Long before Hollywood, he represented Team England as a springboard diver in international competition, according to Team England. He took part in the Olympic Trials for both the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics but missed earning a spot, per Olympics.com

Tony Siragusa

Former football powerhouse Tony Siragusa tackled television with the same force he brought to the field. He spent seven seasons with the Colts before five more with the Ravens, where he helped them win the Super Bowl in 2000, according to Fox Sports. Outside of football, he had roles in a few TV Shows, including The Sopranos, as well as the movie 25th Hour, per IMDb.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominated the basketball court and brought his wisdom to film and television. His memorable performance as Roger Murdock in Airplane! has become one of the most iconic athlete cameos ever on film, per Larry Brown Sports.

Chuck Norris

Legendary martial artist Chuck Norris kicked open the doors from competition to cult-classic fame. From 1968 to 1974, he built his reputation as a six-time world professional karate champion before ever stepping in front of a camera, according to Al Jazeera. That momentum carried him through a prolific run of 1980s action hits, including Missing in Action and The Delta Force.

Gina Carano

Gina Carano broke barriers in MMA before captivating fans on screen. She compiled a 7-1 professional record across eight bouts for promotions including Strikeforce, as reported by ufcstats.com. As an actor, she is most known for her roles in Deadpool, Fast & Furious 6, and The Mandalorian, per IMDb.

Terry Bradshaw

Terry Bradshaw won football’s biggest stage and now brings laughter and warmth to the screen. He remains the only quarterback to post a perfect 4-0 record across four Super Bowl appearances with Pittsburgh, per the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Bradshaw has racked up 34 acting credits over the years, including his standout performances in The Cannonball Run and Failure to Launch, according to IMDb.